Our Story

If you had asked a young Mike Salvatore what he wanted to be when he grew up, the answer probably wouldn’t have included bikes, coffee, or any combination thereof. Fortunately, somewhere along the way Mike hatched a plan to seamlessly integrate biking and coffee cultures, and he—along with his wife, Melissa—has worked diligently to bring his plan to life.

Before opening Heritage Bicycles, Mike spent five years helping to establish and grow Bowery Lane Bicycles in New York City. As a fifth-generation Chicagoan, however, the draw of the City of Big Shoulders became too strong to ignore. So, Mike and Melissa, along with their newborn, Bennett, trekked back to the Midwest to open up shop. Perhaps it’s that new-family feel that has helped Heritage grow into such a community-oriented place. It’s not just a bike shop, and it’s not just a coffee shop—it’s an artistic space, a working space, a space to live in. We encourage everyone to bring suggestions and feedback; to bring their kids, or their laptops, or both; and to make new friends by elbowing into the community table.

Everything we do is centered around this sense of community, right down to our manufacturing. Heritage bikes are designed, welded (by hand, out of American steel), and assembled right here in the city of Chicago. Plus, almost every bike is entirely unique, as Heritage focuses on full customization. Whether it’s sparkly colors or Italian leather accessories that float your boat, we’ll find something to match your style.

Our Promise

Our commitment is first and foremost to customer satisfaction, but we also emphasize eco-friendly transportation and local manufacturing. We are proud to be the first completely Chicago-made bike since Schwinn production left the city in the ’70s.

We are excited to share all this with you. Come visit us at the shop that feels like home and smells like the best coffee you’ll ever have.